United Way of the Bluegrass Volunteers of the Year Breakfast

Tuesday morning, April 21st was eventful for me. United Way of the Bluegrass honored local volunteers nominated by groups and organizations in the Lexington area. As Hospice of the Bluegrass' nominee for this year, it was quite a morning for me. I was humbled to be noted along with a group of incredible people (and one dog) who had given many hours of their time and their hearts to our community in a wide range of settings. Jin Shin Jyutsu is not in the mainstream here, and so the announcer jokingly asked if my work was a form of martial art. Nonetheless, a wonderfully large group was made aware of the quiet art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. If just one person feels drawn to learn more about what I do from attending the breakfast, it will have been worth it! I owe much thanks to Rachel Shircliff (shown here), the Volunteer Coordinator at Hospice for her faith in the benefit of Jin Shin Jyutsu for Hospice patients and their families. Thank you Rachel for a wonderful morning and honor!

Central KY Volunteer Awards Nominee - That's Me!

I am excited to say that I have been nominated by Hospice of the Bluegrass for the Central Kentucky Volunteer Awards, for my Jin Shin Jyutsu work with their fantastic organization. My hope is that this nomination will raise the awareness of the healing capabilities of Jin Shin Jyutsu. My "play" (it is not work because I love it so!) with the patients and families of Hospice has been one of the most rewarding things I have done. I  have to thank Rachel Shircliff, the head of Volunteer Services at Hospice. Rachel has believed in me and in the ability of JSJ to improve the quality of life of the people Hospice serves. Thank you Rachel! I'm looking forward to the award breakfast on Tuesday, April 21st.  

The 4s

I just finished working with two new Hospice patients and want to comment on the importance of the Safety Energy Lock #4. Our soul enters and exits through this energy lock, located in the occipital area where the neck and back of head meet. It is our bridge from the formless to the form, the "Window". Mary said that when the 4s are in harmony, it allows the person to decide freely whether they want to stay or go without struggle. With someone in a critical end of life time, it is so important that these 4s are open like an window in spring so the breezes can blow in and we can see the beauty around us. Cradling the 4s in one hand while holding the near center palm of the person receiving helps open and balance these. Today, while working with my two new friends, one felt "something surge from my toes to the back of my head and pop!". "What did you do???" she said with a laugh! The other complaining of pain from her left 4 which radiated down into her chest and arm on the same side. After cradling the left 4 and holding the left ring finger, the pain decreased so she could rest. In both cases, when the 4s opened and harmonized, the change was immediate - such peace and calm. You can't do this enough for those in the last stages of life or at the end of a long day! Everyone loves it!

Jin Shin Jyutsu Sessions at Hospice Next Week!

I will be giving complimentary Jin Shin Jyutsu sessions to the support staff at Hospice of the Bluegrass Wednesday, March 25th. Sessions will be 30 minutes long. Sign up for these sessions will begin this week, so plan early. The space is limited to 9. We will meet in the large Art Room in the Grief and Loss Center. My goal is to increase awareness of this healing art and to help the staff so they can serve the community in the beautiful way they do with less stress!

Midge O'Brien

Midge O'Brien was a friend and client of mine that I met through Hospice of the Bluegrass in June of 2008. In 1988, Midge was diagnosed with breast cancer. She refused traditional treatment and would rarely utter the words "cancer". She called it her "irreverent cells". Usually, Hospice patient information is considered confidential, but Midge gave me permission to speak and write about her - it was part of her life work and she felt it was important to share with others.

In Jin Shin Jyutsu, Mary Burmeister said "There are no problems, just projects." Together, Midge and I worked on her project weekly, sometimes daily. She told me that the Jin Shin Jyutsu helped her manage her pain, her anxiety, and helped her come to terms with events along her life journey. Sometimes it would leave her in a blissful state in which she would tell me that she had no fear of where she would be going since she had seen it during our sessions. Midge felt strongly that her 10 year+ journey was done with a purpose; to raise the consciousness of those around her.

Midge left this world a few months ago. She was joyful and felt that she had achieved her goals. I miss her dearly and thank her deeply for allowing me to be a a part of her life.

The video attached to this post "My Irreverent Cells" was made prior to my meeting Midge and relays what Midge's wanted to pass on to those she loved - every one of us. I encourage you to watch the full film - she has a message just for you at the end. The filmmaker, who I only know as "coherg" on You Tube did a beautiful job capturing Midge's spirit. Enjoy!